Growing Chefs! Ontario Tomato Tonnato

Tomato Tonnato

A fresh twist on the classic Italian dish Vitello Tonnato. Perfect for summer, this dish combines bold Mediterranean flavors with minimal preparation — ideal for entertaining”
Difficulty
Intermediate
Yield
Serves 8

Tonnato:

Ingredients
2 eggs4 lemons, juice and zest4 anchovy, fillets, minced2 teaspoons dijon mustard2 teaspoons capers1 cup grapeseed oil1 cup oil packed tuna, drained well Salt to taste Pepper to taste

Salad:

Ingredients
4 pounds heirloom tomatoes3 tablespoons calabrian chilis2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, toasted2 tablespoons black sesame seeds, toasted1 bunch opal basil Meldon salt Cracked black pepper
Equipment
Measuring cupsMeasuring spoonsBowls of various sizesWhiskSpatulaChef's knifeCutting boardImmersion blenderTasting spoonsDish towel

Directions

Get Organized!

Gather your mise en place; get together all of the equipment needed for the recipe and gather your ingredients.

Get Prepped!

In a bowl, combine eggs, lemon zest and juice, dijon mustard, anchovies and capers. Blend with an immersion blender until combined. Add the drained tuna and blend until just incorporated, roughly 30 seconds.

Using a whisk, slowly pour the oil into this blended mixture while whisking vigorously until all of the oil is combined. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and potentially more lemon.

In a small pan over medium heat, dry toast the sesame seeds until lightly golden brown and set aside.

Get Cooking!

Using a chef’s knife or serrated knife, cut the tomatoes into wedges, either 6 or 8 depending on the size of the tomato.

Remove the basil leaves from the stems.

On a serving platter or plate, spread a generous layer of the tonnato sauce. Arrange tomato wedges on top of the sauce, preferably mixing colours and pieces around. Use a spoon to place small piles of calabrian chili all over, then top with basil leaves, sesame seeds, maldon salt and fresh cracked black pepper.